SFRP Synthesis of Acenaphthylene Oligomers and Block Copolymers. Potential Light Harvesting Structures

• Published in: Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol. 32; no. 7; pp. 2377 - 2384
• Main Authors: Ali, Dildar, Ahmed, Zaheer, Dust, Julian M, Kazmaier, Peter M, Buncel, Erwin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Oligomers; SFRP; Block; Acenaphthylene
• ISSN: 0253-2964; 1229-5949

Azo-acenaphthylene oligomers with repeating acenaphthylene units "n" up to 4, 5, 7, 17 and 19 have been prepared successfully using nitroxide mediated Stable Free Radical Polymerization (SFRP). Azo-acenaphthylene oligomers, reversibly end-capped by the stable nitroxide 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinoxyl (TEMPO), were further reacted via radical addition to 4-(naphthalenemethoxy)styrene monomer for diblock co-polymer formation. Characterization of the oligomers and diblock co-polymers was accomplished using MALDI-MS supported by GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography) and $^1H$ NMR spectrometry. MALDI-MS afforded definitive results by providing an inter-peak interval of 152 (m/z), corresponding to acenaphthylene monomer, and inter-peak interval of 260 (m/z) for the naphthalenemethoxystyrene monomer unit in block copolymers. Our study opens the way to control the number of repeat units in the oligomers. Further these oligomers can be tailored with various monomers for the formation of block copolymers.